Assigned to PSHS                                                                                                                            FOR COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Forty-ninth Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1011

concealed weapons; faculty; school grounds

Purpose

           Allows a faculty member with a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon (CCW permit) to possess a concealed firearm on university or college grounds.

Background

In general, persons in Arizona may carry weapons without a permit as long as the weapon is visible. However, Arizona law allows, with certain restrictions, a United States citizen to carry a concealed weapon if the person has received a CCW permit.  The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) is required to issue a CCW permit if the applicant meets all the statutory requirements.  A.R.S. § 13-3112  requires applicants to be residents of Arizona or U.S. citizens, be lawfully present in the U.S., be at least 21 years old and satisfactorily complete a firearms safety training program.  Applicants must not be under indictment for, or convicted of, any felony in any jurisdiction, mentally ill or adjudicated mentally incompetent.  Firearms are prohibited in certain situations, regardless of whether a person possesses a CCW permit, including polling places on election day, nuclear power plants or hydroelectric generating stations, correctional facilities and federal buildings. 

Currently, according to the Arizona Board of Regent’s (ABOR) policies manual (5-308), any university campus sanctioned by ABOR, including the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, prohibits the use, possession, display or storage of any weapon on university property or at a university sponsored activity. There are two exceptions to this policy. A person may transport or store a firearm that is in the person's locked and privately owned vehicle or in a locked compartment on the person's privately owned motorcycle and not visible from the outside of the vehicle or motorcycle. The other exception is if the use, possession, display or storage is specifically authorized by the university.

According to the Mesa Community College policy regarding weapons, the possession or use of a firearm on campus is strictly forbidden. Anyone violating the policy is subject to arrest for disruption of an educational institution and applicable college disciplinary procedures. The exception to this policy includes campus police officers and other state certified police officers.

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Allows a faculty member with a valid CCW permit to possess a concealed firearm on university or college grounds.

2. Makes conforming changes.

3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Prepared by Senate Research

February 1, 2010

AO/KK/ly